Ex-Nasarawa PDP Chairman Accused of Abducting Successor, Faces Possible Prosecution
Party Chieftain Petitions Police Over Alleged Hotel Raid, Assault on PDP Officials in Lafia
By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
A former Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Nasarawa State, Francis Orogu, is facing possible prosecution following allegations that he masterminded the abduction of his successor, Joel Gimba, alongside the party’s Organizing Secretary, Yunusa Ohimege.
The allegations were contained in a petition submitted to the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police by a party chieftain, retired Brigadier General Philip Umar Ashim, who accused Orogu and the party’s current Treasurer, Yahaya Usman Bunu, of orchestrating the operation through hired thugs.
According to the petition dated May 18, the two party officials were allegedly forcefully taken from their hotel rooms at Evergreen Hotel located in the Ombi I area of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Ashim alleged that the victims were brutally assaulted “to the point of stupor” before being transported to Orogu’s residence on his alleged directive.
The retired Army officer further claimed that the alleged abduction was carried out with the intent to eliminate the victims, describing the development as dangerous and capable of escalating political tension within the state chapter of the party.
He urged the police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that all suspects involved are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The petitioner also appealed to the police to keep the accused persons in custody pending the conclusion of investigations in order to prevent interference and forestall a recurrence of similar incidents.
Ashim lamented what he described as a growing culture of political intimidation and thuggery within the party, alleging that Orogu had previously used thugs to harass perceived opponents and issue threats to their lives.
He warned that failure to decisively tackle such acts of violence and intimidation could further worsen insecurity and political instability in the country.
